Britain's Labour suspends four over sleaze claims

By
Euronews

Four British lawmakers have been suspended from their party after being filmed offering to influence government policy for cash.

The politicians, all from the ruling Labour party, include former Defence Minister Geoff Hoon, ex-Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and one-time Transport Minister Stephen Byers as well as backbencher Margaret Moran.

They have been suspended by Labour following the undercover sting for a television documentary. The tapes show the MPs offering a bogus US lobby firm access to ministers in return for cash payments.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has rebuffed calls for a formal inquiry, although Byers has referred himself to the parliamentary standards committee.

The revelations come after a scandal erupted last year over the abuse of parliamentary expenses.

It gives Conservative leader David Cameron further political ammunition as Britain heads towards a General Election, expected May 6.

His wife, Samantha, announced on Monday that she was pregnant with the couple’s fourth child.